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Judicial Branch News Equal Justice Under the Law June 2013 Appointments, Retirements and Rotations
Judicial Branch NewsEqual Justice Under the Law June 2013
Appointments, Retirements and Rotations
The Judicial Branch News is an online newsletter published by theMedia Relations Department.
If you wish to contribute to this newsletter, please send articles,news items, photos or other correspondence to:[email protected].
Contributing WritersDebbie Gilliland
Candace AtkinsonJill Siller
Kelly LuskChristopher Bleuenstein
Richard WoodsMikisha Steel
Contributing EditorsKaren Arra
Vincent FunariKelly Vail
Tanya LutherJohnny Tse
Mary Byrnes
Produced by the Media Relations DepartmentMedia Relations Department
Old Courthouse 4th Floor125 W. WashingtonPhoenix, AZ 85003
Judicial Branch News
Features
3 Judicial Rotations and Appointments
4 Employee Anniversaries
5 Court Seeks Friendly Faces
6 Probate Court’s Reform Receives Top Honor
7 Chief Justice Announces Committee Selections
Vol 7. Issue 6 Contents
June 2013
Pg 2
Cover - Judicial Appointments and Retirements
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Court News
Jay R. Adleman
Joseph P. Mikitish
Kerstin LeMaire
Julie Ann Mata
Annielaurie Van Wie
The Governor appointed two new judges to the Superior Court Bench. Judge Jay Adelman and Judge Joseph Mikitish fill the vacancies created by the retirements of Judge Michael McVey and Judge Eddward Ballinger.
Judge Adleman has served as a Superior Court Commissioner in Juvenile Court since April 2011. Prior to his commissioner appointment, he worked in the private sector with Jones, Skelton & Hochuli PLC and Teilbor and Sanders & Parks PC. He also worked for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the Arizona Court of Appeals. He will be assigned to Family Court.
Prior to his appointment, Judge Joseph P. Mikitish was the former Unit Chief at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. Prior to his work in the public sector, he was in private practice at Beshears Muchmore Wallwork and Fennemore Craig. He also served as a law clerk with the Arizona Supreme Court. He will be assigned to Family Court.
Commissioner Michael Hintze will retire on June 30. He will serve as a judge for the City of Phoenix. Commissioner Hintze was passionate about improving the circumstances of the mentally ill, veterans and the homeless. He was instrumental in promoting and establishing a Veteran’s Court during his service in Rule 11 and Mental Health Court.
Commissioner Appointments
Presiding Judge Norman Davis appointed three new Commissioners to fill the vacancies created by the retirements of Commissioners Michael Hintze and Stephen Kupiszewski, and the judge appointment of former Commissioner Jay Adleman.
Commissioner Kerstin LeMaire will be assigned a probate/civil calendar at the Northeast Regional Center. Commissioner Julie Ann Mata will be assigned an EDC calendar at the Southeast Regional Center and Commissioner Annielaurie Van Wie will be assigned to a juvenile calendar at Durango.
Appointments, Retirements and Rotations
Court News
Pg 4
Employee Anniversaries
Judge Helene Abrams Announces Retirement
Superior Court Judge Helene Abrams submitted her letter of retirement to the Governor effective June 30. Judge Abrams was appointed to the bench in 2005, and she has served in Juvenile, Family, Criminal and Civil Court.
“I have always been impressed with her upbeat and optimistic personality, and her willingness to serve the Court and the community wherever she was needed,” said Presiding Judge Norman Davis. “We’ll miss you Helene. Best wishes in your retirement.”
Prior to joining the Bench, Judge Abrams was the Juvenile Division Chief at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office from 1993 - 2005. She starting working at the Maricopa County Public Defender’s Office in 1983.
Judge Abrams received her Juris Doctorate and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.
20 YEARSAbilio Aranda, Adult Probation OfficerKim Cullinan, Adult Probation Officer
Dawn Hamilton, Adult Probation OfficerYvette Morales, Adult Probation Officer
Penny Morrison, Adult Probation Division ManagerJoann Roskoski, Adult Probation Officer
Rebecca Shackelton, Adult Probation OfficerJames Sine, Adult Probation Officer
Jeffrey Smalley, Adult Probation Officer SupervisorDonna Vittori-Verges, Adult Probation Division Manager
John Hodge, Adult Probation OfficerHeather Eakin, Judicial Clerk
25 YEARSDonald Thompson, Adult Probation Officer
Teresa Yetmar, Adult Probation Officer Supervisor
5 YEARSAlbert Oliver, Security Officer II
Pamela Culp, Judicial ClerkAmanda Hernandez, Judicial Clerk Senior
Pablo Sedillo IV, Judicial ClerkMelissa Contreras, Judicial ClerkAlison Felix, Judicial Clerk Senior
Brent Harring, BailiffDeneene Thompson, Judicial Clerk Supervisor
Ana Figueroa, Administrative AssistantAdis Bosnic, Judicial Clerk Supervisor
Anna Mireles, Judicial Clerk Senior
10 YEARSCynthia Lineburg, Court Reporter
Kathlynn Miller-Quince, Judicial AssistantBrooke Araki, Business/Systems Analyst
Robert LeTellier, Security Officer IIEva Reyes, Judicial Clerk
15 YEARSTimberly Matson, Surveillance Officer
Cecilia Mada, Judicial Clerk SeniorDeborah Paetz, Judicial Specialist
Kevin Bacchus, Adult Probation OfficerJennifer Bangerter, Adult Probation OfficerDiana Barela-Rue, Adult Probation Officer
Joseph Bonow, Adult Probation OfficerJennifer Ferguson, Management AnalystPamela Fowler, Adult Probation OfficerDonald Kaliski, Adult Probation Officer
Kimberly McCurtain, Adult Probation OfficerTeddy Milham, Adult Probation Division Manager
Luigi Patruno, Adult Probation OfficerLinda Peterik, Adult Probation OfficerCarol Scott, Adult Probation Officer
Amy Yu, Adult Probation OfficerBricia Zavala, Adult Probation Officer
Joey Daigle, Systems/Network AdministratorCarlos Lopez, Judicial Assistant
Cindy McDonald, Business/Systems Analyst - Sr/LdRosa Laine, Counselor
Employee Anniversaries Continued
Helene Abrams
iCISng Update
Pg 5
Learning More About iCISng
Submitted by Kelly Lusk
A friendly face is reassuring, especially when you’re lost.
The Maricopa County Superior Court is seeking volunteers who will serve as Court Ambassadors and help guide Maricopa County residents through the sprawling Downtown Phoenix Court Complex. Court Ambassadors are volunteers whose mission is to roam the Court and provide visitors with faster, easier and more informed service wherever the visitors are.
“The Court can be an intimidating and confusing place to navigate,” said Jennifer Murray, Law Library Administrator. “While we as court staff do our best to help ease the fear and confusion, we can’t be everywhere at once and unfortunately can’t provide the personal touch of walking someone from point A to point B. This is why the Court created this unique opportunity for the public to be involved in the Court’s exciting and fast-paced environment.”
Volunteers need to complete a four hour orientation. They also need to be available to volunteer at least two hours a week from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Due to security requirements of the court, volunteers need to successfully pass background checks. Bus passes and free parking are available for volunteers.
“Court Ambassadors should be outgoing people who are interested in our court system and able to get around the Court,” Murray said.
If you are interested in becoming a court ambassador, please contact: Jennifer Murray at [email protected], 602-506-3464 or complete an interest form on the Court’s website at www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov.
Court Seeks
Friendly FacesDo you want to learn more about iCISng?
iCISng now has training videos and written materials available on the Intranet.
From the iCISng Manuals/Documentation site, review the documents and videos library. Current key training informational areas include IA Court, IA Summons Check-in, IA Summons Demonstration Videos, and MCSO Jail Fingerprint. More videos will be posted soon.
Please contact Kelly Lusk, Trainer with Court Technology Services, on any ideas, training requests or suggestions regarding iCISng educational support.
Probate Court
Probate Court’s Reform Receives Top Honor
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Maricopa County Superior Court’s Probate Court has positioned itself as one of the top probate courts in the Nation.
The National Association of Court Management (NACM), the largest organization of court management professionals in the world, awarded Superior Court’s Probate Court with the 2013 Justice Achievement Award.
“It is clear that over the past few years the Maricopa County Probate Court has experienced significant reform and innovation under the able leadership of Probate Presiding Judge Rosa Mroz,” Superior Court Presiding Judge Norman Davis said. “The process of improvement is by its nature perpetual, and the Maricopa County Superior Court has always, and will continue to, strive for excellence in providing the public with the best judicial system possible. My sincere thanks to all who were – and are – involved in the Probate Court system improvements and other reform initiatives.”
The award recognizes the tremendous efforts made by the judicial officers, administrators and court staff that helped transform Probate Court. During the last three years, Probate Court developed a new case management protocol with case differentiation, expanded use of ADR, created a new accountability court, improved communication and information flow between administrative oversight personnel and judicial officers, and implemented public education programs and videos.
“The reform and innovations made by the Probate Court could not have happened without the support and dedication of everyone in the department,” Probate Presiding Judge Rosa Mroz said. “They not only implemented these changes, they embraced it. The common goal of everyone who works in the Probate Court is to serve and protect people unable to care for themselves. The Probate Court will continue to examine itself and make improvements in furtherance of that goal.”
The Court will accept the award at the NACM Annual Conference on July 15.
The Justice Achievement Award was established in 1988 to recognize outstanding achievement and meritorious projects that enhance the administration of justice.
In 2010, Superior Court received a Justice Achievement Award for the re-design of its CASA website.
The week of April 29 to May 3 was designated Jury Appreciation Week at the Maricopa County Superior Court. Jurors were treated to food and refreshments in the morning and afternoon.
As in past years, the panel that has been in trial the longest was treated to a special catered lunch.
“The service that jurors provide to our court is always appreciated, but this special week reminds us and them that their service is recognized and appreciated by the court and the community that they serve,” Jury Administrator Candace Atkinson said.
Jury Appreciation WeekCommissioner Michael Hintze’s
Retirement Celebration
A large crowd says goodbye to Superior Court Commissioner Michael Hintze. The celebration was held on June 5 in the South Court Tower in Downtown Phoenix.
Commissioner Michael Hintze’s Retirement Celebration
Court News
Pg 7
Court Employees Earn Degree
JPD Featured in Publication
Recently, two Criminal Court Administration employees, Marcina Lutz and Catherine Camren, earned their Bachelor of Science Degrees from Arizona State University in Criminal Justice and Criminology.
Lutz started with Criminal Court Administration in 2008. During the past five years, she has been a Judicial Assistant (JA) to Commissioner Richard Albrecht in the Regional Court Center (RCC).
“I am very excited to reach this accomplishment ,and I feel that it all has happened so fast. My goal is to simply land a higher paying job utilizing my degree, and I am hopeful I can remain working for the Court or the County,” Lutz said.
Catherine Camren is currently working in the Bond Forfeiture Unit of Criminal Administration where she works closely with Commissioner Brian Rees.
“I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my family,” Camren said. “My hope for the future is to use my degree to help people, particularly children and victims of crime.”
In addition to working full-time for the court, Lutz and Camren attended night classes at ASU’s downtown campus.
County Rewards Court EmployeeEmelda Dailey’s cost-saving measure in Alternative Dispute Resolution has saved Superior Court an estimated $2,782 a year.
Rather than have Superior Court pay postage for Civil and Family Court Settlement conference evaluations, the court shifted the cost to the attorneys or parties in the case. Last year, an average of 552 envelopes were sent monthly at a cost of $0.42 each.
For her cost-saving idea, the Maricopa County Merit Award Board awarded Dailey with $557.
The efforts of the Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Department were featured in an article in the National Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center Bulletin.
Maricopa County implemented three strategies to address disproportionate minority contact. These strategies were recently evaluated in a study by Dr. Nancy Rodriguez of Arizona State University and Dr. Elizabeth Eells of the Maricopa County Juvenile Probation Department.
To read the full article, visit: http://www.jrsa.org/njjec/newsletters/njjec-bulletin-may2013.pdf
By Christopher Bleuenstein and Jill Siller
Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch posted administrative orders announcing her recent committee appointments.
Judge Randall Warner and Judge Sally Schneider Duncan were selected to serve on the Committee on Superior Court. They will serve a term of three years.
Court Administrator Raymond Billotte was appointed to serve on the Commission on Technology. He will serve a one year term.
Committee Selections Announced
Submitted by Richard Woods
New FMLA PolicyJudicial Branch has changed the way an employee’s 12 week FMLA leave will be calculated. Effective July 1, all employees who are eligible for FMLA will receive their annual allotment of available time up front and begin a “Rolling Forward” measurement. The first time FMLA is used after July 1, twelve weeks of job-protected leave will be available. A new 12 weeks will be available 12 months from that first date of usage. This policy also applies to employees currently on FMLA leave. Please contact Mikisha Steel, FMLA Liaison, at (602) 372-0380 with questions regarding eligibility, medical certification or re-certification requirements.
By Mikisha Steel
Marcina Lutz
